Mississippi Legislature passes 20-week abortion ban

5:34 PM,
Apr. 1, 2014

State Capitol dome in Jackson.

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The Mississippi Legislature on Tuesday passed a ban on abortions at 20 weeks or more gestation, without exception for rape or incest that some lawmakers had proposed.

The vote was 90-21 in the House and 41-10 in the Senate. Both chambers had previously passed similar versions of the bill, and voted down attempts to add rape and incest exemptions. The bill would allow exemptions in cases where the mother's life is in danger or where it is determined the fetus has problems and no chance of survival.

House Bill 1400 now heads to Gov. Phil Bryant, who is expected to sign it into law. ...